Writing During Tense Times

This is a tense week. People on all sides of the political debate in the US, and even people in other countries, are holding their breath, waiting for something terrible to happen. So how can you still write or work on your business? Most of us cannot take a week off from our responsibilities.

Here’s what I do when I am afraid or overwhelmed and still need to produce ideas or put words on paper:I put something in order.

Look around your home and let your eyes rest on something messy- your junk drawer, the top of your desk, the hall closet, or your silverware drawer. You know what it is…it’s been bugging you but not enough that you took the time to fix it.

Find 15 minutes and put some order into that chaos. Make it simple. Don’t tell yourself you need to go to the store and get supplies or paint the entire house. Pick something you can do immediately and easily.

Why?

Because we work with intangible ideas. It’s hard to measure our progress, especially when we are worried or distracted by outside events we cannot control.

Fixing a little mess in your home or office will help you:

Work with your hands and rest your mind

Feel in control of your environment, at least part of it!

See a physical result of your efforts

Experience a feeling of accomplishment

Generate new ideas because you rested from your work and your worries.

This sounds crazy, but it works. Give it a try this week. Fix something and then sit down to write. You’ll be surprised at how your ideas will flow.

Jodi Hill

Lynneklippel

Aprille Janes

Totally agree with this. You can only influence what you can control. All the rest is useless worry. Do what you can. Start where you are. Knowing that one small corner of your own life is under control helps. Then it’s easier to use your creative superpowers to make your voice heard.